Aid figures for Germany remain undetermined by the authorities.
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Education and Culture has found itself at the centre of a debate over the Abitur grades, with claims of a "flood of top grades" and "grade inflation" being levelled against the system.
In recent years, the proportion of Abitur students with very good grades has seen a slight increase. However, the ministry attributes this positive development to consistently improved school support and more equality of opportunity in the education system.
Christoph Ploß, a CDU federal parliamentarian, and Stefan Düll, Association President of the German Teachers' Association, have voiced concerns about this trend, suggesting it could indicate grade inflation.
Despite these concerns, the Lower Saxony Ministry of Education and Culture maintains that good and very good grades are not the norm in the Abitur. In fact, the ministry views these figures as not indicating a devaluation of the Abitur.
Interestingly, the proportion of Abitur exams not passed has increased slightly in recent years, according to the ministry. This suggests that the high standards set for the Abitur exams in Lower Saxony are being maintained.
In the Corona years of 2021 and 2022, the proportion of Abitur students with an average grade of 1.5 or better was higher than in the following years. However, there has been no increase in the top grade of 1.0. In 2025, only 2.00 percent of examinees achieved this grade.
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Education and Culture considers the fact that the state sets high standards in exams and evaluation as a conscious quality feature. Stefan Düll, president of the German Teachers' Association, emphasizes the need to maintain the quality of the Abitur and argues against any further "tinkering" with the system.
The ministry has faced criticism about the alleged "flood of top grades" in the Abitur. Since the criticism arose, there has been a slight decrease in the proportion of very good grades, with 11.43 percent of students achieving these grades in the current year.
In conclusion, while there has been a slight increase in the proportion of very good grades in the Abitur in Lower Saxony, the ministry maintains that this does not indicate a devaluation of the Abitur. The ministry emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards and the quality of the Abitur, a view shared by Stefan Düll, president of the German Teachers' Association.
Education-and-self-development discussions in general-news are focusing on debates surrounding the Abitur grades in Lower Saxony, with concerns about a potential "flood of top grades" and "grade inflation." Interestingly, these concerns regarding Abitur grade inflation have led to a decrease in the proportion of very good grades in recent years, as per data from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Education and Culture.
